#sirius the ghost therapist

[carniferous]

i need the dil bartylus thesis NOOOOWWW

bartylus is the failmarriage of ALL time to me i’ve spoken about this before but to me they contrast jegulus in that jegulus is a relationship with clear beginnings and ends. its tumultuous for sure but its tumultuous in a very defined way. jegulus cant be a failmarriage bc they’d get divorced. they’re too obsessed with defining what they are to each other bc they want it to be real and meaningful and it can’t be anything less than that

bartylus on the other hand…. they couldn’t define what they are to each other if they tried. they’re like the definition of settling for less but ‘less’ in this case is someone who understands you on a very a deep and fundamental level. perhaps better than anyone in the world. perhaps better than you understand yourself!! i wouldn’t say they’re ‘recognition of self in the other’ bc barty and regulus aren’t even other to each other…. they are each others homes and i mean in this context that both of these characters have the most fraught relationship with their respective homes imaginable. they want each other the way they want to go home (not at all — but also desperately). their relationship is inextricable from childhood. they hate to be reminded of their childhoods

and yet they’re not…. toxic per se! they’re obviously not healthy but they love each other in a way that’s very earnest (childlike). barty dreams of running away with regulus. he is the white knight rescuing the princess from the tower (he’s exactly like james in this respect). but unlike james barty doesn’t see running away as leading to a potentially better life for them….. he has no desire for freedom or salvation. barty just wants to do what he thinks will make regulus happier. and bc of this they will NEVER run away together bc regulus does want freedom. he does want salvation. he will never leave everything he knows unless he has the promise of something better, and barty can’t give that to him (and barty would see dishonesty about that as the greatest betrayal imaginable). so they never leave! they’re trapped together forever! stagnation! rotting! being seen this clearly is love but it’s also unbearable! there’s no mystery there’s no intrigue there’s just the cold acceptance of their fate and the comfort that at least they’ll bear it together except it’s no comfort at all because they COULD have escaped. just not with each other

and don’t even get me STARTED on brotherhusband barty…. there are like some obvioussss barty/sirius parallels and we’d be fools to think regulus doesn’t see them. to think regulus doesn’t want barty explicitly because “this person is like my brother if my brother wanted me” ?? regulus is someone who has lived his entire life wanting to be wanted come on…. he fucks barty because barty is like if regulus could somehow make sirius stay. and barty thinks this is sooooo sweet he indulges it he’s like “yeah reggie why would i ever leave you we’ve known each other since we were toddlers… we’re practically bro—” and then 5 minutes later regulus is sucking his dick and he’s like. wow look at regulus self-soothing! i’m such a good friend :)

in a modern setting they’re a category 5 situationship of unprecedented magnitude. like the picture you paint of regulus crying in his car after their 34th screaming-match breakup of the MONTH (how does this even happen. months only have 31 days max. were they timing it by the hour) is so perfect. ppl tell reg to see a therapist and he graciously does and after explaining it the therapist is like “do you think this might have anything to do with your childhood?” and regulus like “no?” and then proceeds to ghost said therapist bc on the way home from the appointment barty called and apologized and invited regulus over. regulus was like “okay but we’re not going to fuck” and barty is like “ofc not do you think i’m some kind of freak that i would be horny right now—“ cut to barty with regulus’s calves on his shoulders

[tavsianus]

Fic Ideas

Snames: James keep thinking about Severus after Hogwarts and regrets everything. So when he sees the other guy in Diagon Alley he wants to talk to him, he never thought it would be so hard to keep himself away from someone.

Sniddle: One day Severus finds a black notebook placed in his dorm bed and things just gets stranger. Someone replies to him whenever he writes down and he slowly falls in love with this mysterious person.

Snarcissia: Narcissa, who has made a political marriage, is not at all satisfied with her relationship with Lucius. After a while, she meets Snape, a working-class man, and falls in love with him.

Snirius/Snames:  Severus goes to a blind date (by force) and meets with a man. He is cocky, arrogant and annoying and Severus wants nothing more to just leave. (Sirius/James on the other hand is planning a second date.)

Snames: Severus works at a library and the same person comes to get a new book everday. It is clear that he isn’t reading it at all because no way someone can read to whole The Hunchback of Notre Dame in one day.

Snirius: Severus becomes a penpal with a criminal, Sirius Black. Everything is fine until Black is released from prison. 

Snupin:  Severus has germophobia (OCD) and decides to go to a therapist.

Snames: James falls in love with a melancholic ghost that lives in his house.

Snames/Snirius: Sirius Black is adored by everyone, everyone except one person. Severus Snape. And he was pretty sure if he did try, even the greasy git would fall for his charm eventually.So, how far was he willing to go to win a bet?

Snupin: Its Care of Magical Creatures class. Suprisingly, animals love Snape and he loves them. Hagrid(or whoever the teacher is) brings a unicorn and doesn’t let anyone aproach. Sev tries it and the Unicorn let him. Everyone is shocked. Remus is very interested in him after this. Because, maybe he can also approach his wolf and can calm him so he doesn’t get so much hurt?

Snirius: After Sirius uses a dark spell to stop his magic as a ‘prank’ Severus has to stay with the Blacks until they find a way to solve this problem (The ministry forces them, if not Sirius’ll get punished.)

Severus has to stay at a dorm and to his shock, he has to stay with three jocks -James,Sirius,Remus. He is not happy about it.

Severus shares a apartment with Sirius/James. He isn’t exactly friends with this guy but hey, he is rich and he isn’t going to complain. 

• Coffee Shop AU. Severus just wanted to get some coffee but the damn barista was more interested in annoying him then doing his job, goddamnit. (Snack/Snames)

Severus  lives in a shitty town and works at just as shitty work. But one day when a Mafia group decides to claim their town things just gets worse. (Marauders/Snape)

(Snupin) Severus gets a new apartment for college. But what is that? There’s a ghost living there! Well, he isn’t going to leave, the rent is really cheap so he has to learn to live with him.

[book-girl4evaaa]

cast the moots in dear evan hansen!

I've been waiting a while to do this, but this is awesome! Thank you for this ask!

Ok let's do this! I'll use the descriptions from Wikipedia because they're pretty good!

Let's do this!

First of for ensemble: @thatrandomlemononyourcounter1 @auroraofthesun1 @fangirlghost-19 @fish-ofishial123 @myfairkatiecat just because I don't know how much you like musicals but I think you'd have fun :)

1. @ace-of-pussy / @wants-to-marry-sirius-black as....

Jared Kleinman – Evan's droll and sarcastic friend. He helps Evan and Alana found The Connor Project.

Because there is the main funny character in the musical and I think you'd be able to sell that. And you would both boss the song

2. @the-slowest-turtle as...

Alana Beck – Evan's earnest but melodramatic classmate. She is constantly looking for academic and extracurricular activities to boost her collegiate chances.

Because you would absolutely boss that song, and because I feel like you might have fun playing her

3. @im-on-crack-send-help as...

Larry Murphy – Connor and Zoe's busy and distant father.

Because I feel like you would want a role, but not too big

4. @eddie-spagetthi as...

Cynthia Murphy – Connor and Zoe's stay-at-home mother. She is constantly trying to keep her fragile family from falling apart but is often unsuccessful.

I don't know why, but I feel like you would really slay this

5. @dafantasyqueen / @discoveredreality as...

Zoe Murphy – Connor's younger sister and Evan's longtime crush. She was never close to Connor, even hated him and thought he was a monster, but wishes she had known him better and turns to Evan after he lies and says he was friends with Connor.

Both of you would boss requiem for sure! And I can just imagine you as her

6. @justalunaticfangirl as...

Connor Murphy – A classmate of Evan and high school senior who, like Evan, is also a social outcast with no friends, and a frequent drug user, getting high to cope with his aggressive and violent tendencies. Connor eventually takes his own life during Act 1. His ghost appears in Evan's mind throughout the rest of the musical

Because I know you're a theatre kid, so I think you'd be able to play this role properly. As well as serve in sincerely me

7. @loife1m as...

Heidi Hansen – Evan's mother, a nurse's aide who attends paralegal school at night, often leaving Evan on his own as a result

Because you would just slay. Also, you are technically an aunt so...

And finally, playing Even Hansen, the titular role, "A high school senior with social anxiety. He is assigned by his therapist to write letters to himself about why each day will be good, which becomes the catalyst for the plot of the story (hence the name, Dear Evan Hansen" the protagonist we have.....

@paloma-ascends-into-hellfire !

*cheers* WHOOOOOO!

She's just amazing guys.

And that's the cast!!!!!!!!!!

Also all the descriptions are of Wikipedia don't sue me

[apoetsworld]

Sirius *having just watched ghost busters for the first time*: I ain't afraid of no ghost! When you're scared, alone and you hear weird noises! Who you gonna call?!

James: the police

Remus: your therapist

Sirius: nO. GhostBusters!

[sayingyournames]

rn in the ywlm universe sirius is at an art class that regulus signed them both up for bc the last 3 times he tried setting them up for therapy they ghosted the appointments and therapists in th is town seem to all know each other so now he can’t get them in anywhere and hobbies are supposed to be meditative, right?

[broomsticks]

Heyy! I was wondering, can you help me out with some drarry recs? I read a few drarry fics YEARS ago and honestly don't remember them at all, and the past few years, I've only read marauders era fics. I want to explore drarry a bit, but in a lot of the fics i try out the pairing seems kinda illogical. Yk like the fic just pushes them together bc it's a drarry fic but it doesn't really make sense beyond that. Maybe I've just had bad luck. But that's why i wanted to ask whether you have any recs that could get me into the pairing again. I think i mostly want canonish stuff (no crazy AUs), and lengthwise im alright with whatever, but a longfic would be nice!!

so first off - thank you for thinking of me hahaha, but I'm not the best person to ask because I don't read a ton of Drarry! (I say that and it's my third most bookmarked ship, behind Wolfstar and Jily.) it's not a ship I'm particularly wild about either, for similarrrr reasons to you it sounds like (not a huge fan of postwar redemption arc and if I'm going to read that I usually would rather read lightning gen femslash, and most of the AUs tend to read sorta 'any two guys' to me), but I have read a bunch I enjoyed and I do have a couple faves:

Listening for the Angels by @hawksquill // 12k, M

The trials are over. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are in Azkaban, the Ministry has seized Malfoy Manor, and Draco is banished to live among Muggles. His exile brings Draco more than he ever bargained for: a Squib therapist, Muggle friends, a new career, and a mysterious pen pal who helps him come to terms with what it means to grow, heal, and make amends.

lmao I know I just said postwar redemption not my jam blah blah, but the writing of this one is just lovely. it's Draco-centric and more pre-slash gen than relationshippy, but the character growth is so well done.

.

What We Pretend We Can't See by @gyzym // 131k, M

Seven years out from the war, Harry learns the hard truth of old history: it’s never quite as far behind you as you thought.

the plot. the relationships. the conflict. the humanity. I remember this one totally sweeping me away! gyzym also wrote one of my favorite aziraphale/crowleys (build me a city, call it jerusalem, 3.5k, T), pre-show/dated 2012, give this a try if you'd like a quick taste of their writing, it's what motivated me to start reading that Drarry longfic!

.

I found the sentient house magic intriguing in this one:

The Claiming of Grimmauld Place by bixgirl1 // 75k, E

When Grimmauld Place begins fighting against Harry’s ownership of it, he decides he needs help to train the historic home — but little does he expect that it’ll be Malfoy who’s most suitable for the challenge. However, as Malfoy and Harry get closer, Harry comes to understand that expectations aren’t always the best path by which to guide his heart — and in the process learns just what is needed to make a house a home.

I will say this ship has a lot of a) magical theory, particularly sentient house magic, b) auror partner casefics, and c) mysterious medical maladies, so if that's something that interests you I can rec a couple more!

.

last but not least I know you said no crazy AUs, but you did also say Wolfstar, and I was just rereading this to rec it elsewhere: here's an online romance Drarry AU with HIV+ Remus and Wolfstar raising Harry. Angst, smut, fluff, family... this fic is lovely.

Dragons Don't Know Paradise by @teacup-tai // 51k, E

In 2004, when Remus spends two scary weeks in the ITU due to complications of pneumonia and his HIV condition, Sirius walks around the house like a ghost and Harry finds comfort and strength in Draco through a chat in an online LGBT forum. Harry falls for him, but Draco has a lot of secrets and, before long, will need to come clean—even if he believes that no one is able to understand a dragon. This is a story about falling in love online and about facing the reality of death, but above all, this is a story about hope, finding love and acceptance. (Non-magical / bookshop AU, written for the 25 days of Drarry 2020)

a couple more recs here for Wolfstar + Drarry!

[galaxostars]

☾ Fic masterlist 𖤓

Hi, I’m Iris, I mostly write about HP and rare pairs :)

In this house we hate JK Rowling with a burning passion, and love everyone part of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a loving and judgment free zone ! No ship/kink bashing either <3

+18 | mdni

general ao3 link: main account & dead dove account

Main

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ✧･ﾟ: *✧

All of you : one shot, 5k, E, drarry smut ft small cock Draco and body worship from Harry

Lights up : 3/3, 28k, written for the Transfest, E, Sirius' journey with gender, featuring ftm Remus, non-binary Teddy raised by wolfstar

Show me your teeth : one shot, 25.9 k, E, a jegulus meet cute at a costume party in which they have sex, and discover each other’s identities in the morning. Featuring some black brother angst, Jame’s nipple piercing and funny banter.

Stitches undone : one shot, 30k, written for the TTPD fest, E, Lily isn't over her first love when she falls for someone a second time, and Regulus is still carrying the weight of his heartbreak when he meets someone new. Little do they know, the name they're running from may just be the very person they need.

The most beautiful part of me (is you) : one shot, 14.6 k, E, a prongsfoot one shot in which James comforts Sirius struggling to cope with his guilt post Prank. HAE but mind the tags !

Fuck. Me. Up. : one shot, 4k with art, E, rosekiller smut with fan art by Steffi

Take me for a ride : one shot, 7k, E, Sirius teases Remus, finally convincing him to go on a ride (or, me satisfying my bike kink)

"You love a good ride, don't you?" : one shot, 6.6k, E, James fucks his bike and Regulus gets jealous (or, me satisfying my bike kink... again)

Like stars, we'll burn ourselves out : wip 3/8, 31k, E, a Remus/James slowburn featuring the roommate trope

Lonely hearts : one shot, 31k, E, Teddy Lupin works as a massage therapist and is in for a surprise when his new client turns out to be none other than his estranged godfather (Heddy ft grief, touch starved werewolf Teddy and second chances)

Locked Longings : one shot, 8.3k, written for the TTPD fest, E, Sirius fantasizes about Monty, based on the song "Guilty as Sin"

Untamed desires : one shot, 12.5k, E, Draco pines over Charlie and Harry (shameless smut)

Trip, Switch : one shot, 15.8k, E, five times Krum made Ron blush and one time Ron got his revenge

Scars sparkle in the moonlight : one shot, 3.6 k, E, collective work, Pandora and Xeno find Remus during the full moon and proceed to help him through it (or, a soulmate AU) 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ✧･ﾟ: *✧

Dead Dove

Written in the stars : one shot, 11k, E, prongsfoot but if sirius was adopted by the Potters

Rotten love : one shot, 7k, E, starcest inferi cannibalism smut

Haunted breaths : one shot, 5k, E, ghost regulus sees himself in Draco... in more ways than one

Sweet promises : one shot, 7k, E, Alphirius cockwarming smut

Deadly flowers and their happy side effects : one shot, 4.5 k, E, starcestbucks and sex pollen

Bathroom discoveries : one shot, 1.6 k, E, microfic for @microcest : starcest sharing a bathroom

Un amour lunaire : one shot, 6.4 k, E, underage, starcest ft Sirius comforting his brother after a nightmare

Dinner treats : one shot, 2.1k, M, testing how affectionate they can act in public ft Sirius/Alphard

Lovesick : one shot, 14.3 k, E, starcestbucks featuring the "there was only one bed" trope

[lemme-just-oops]

Hello author! This is the same anon that asked you a qn! I saw an anon requesting you an Obey Me x AT crossover! So if it’s alright with you, may I request the AT bois reacting to MC saying, “Yeah I got killed by a demon (Belphie) during my time in Devildom but it was finnnee! We’re close now and the other demons and angels are cool too!” with Solomon accompanying MC? I just want to see their reactions on MC’s death and their opinions on Solomon (I hope you have a nice day! <333)

Alpheratz: He blinks, nods and pulls out his phone. As he walks away, you only hear him say: "Belphie, you son-". He nods to Solomon as a greeting, but he says that Solomon looks like he bathes in flour.

Arcturus: From the calmness in you, he thinks you are joking and will not be convinced otherwise. You standing in front of him is the proof that you have not been killed. When it comes to Solomon, he is on friendly terms until they bake together. Arcturus officially banned Solomon from all interdimensional kitchens. Though they now have a pact and hang out sometimes. Solomon promised to never let him and Asmodeus interact.

Pollux: Panics. Are you a ghost?! Before you can even act, he digs a grave and cries. He has everyone on the phone and tells them that you are dead, that you just told him dead. Everyone hung up on him because he screamed so loud, their ears were hurting and they understood not a single word. Solomon asks you to let this continue, it looks like fun. Pollux and Solomon are on friendly terms and occasionally bake together. Do not allow this to happen. Solomon's cooking skills mixed with Pollux's misfortune is not a combination you want. They are forbidden from making a pact.

Sirius: Why does you getting killed by a magical being sound so damn familiar? He feels as though that nearly happened before, but he cannot quite remember when. Whatever, if you ever feel threatened by Belphie again, just summon him and he will keep you safe. In fact, you must take him with you if you ever want to go back. Belphie will soon send you screenshots of unknown numbers threatening him. Sirius and Solomon can be a chill duo, especially when they are alone. Neither of them can read one another, so it makes their conversations hard to follow. Only they know what they actually talk about.

Spica: It is not normal to be this casual about death, so he will refer to his therapist almost immediately, even if you protest. And the more you try to explain, the worse it becomes. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WATCHED ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU DIE?! The more you say, the less he understands and it may be better if you remain silent. His opinion regarding Solomon is greatly influenced by the fact that Belphegor has not met any consequences. Even if everything seems alright now, the fact that this man is treated as a friend is abnormal.

Vega: Do you want him to have a panic attack? This is why you should always be cautious and not walk into random portals! The fact that you -or a version of yourself- died is a tragedy he cannot recover from. Even though there was no way for him to help you anyways, it may have been better for him to not know of anything there. Regarding Solomon, he remains neutral for a long time. Keeping an eye on him, talking a bit, but remaining suspicious even as they end up getting along.

[jegulusofwesper]

so i’ve casted the marauders as jatp characters, now i just need your input <3

julie - regulus

luke - james

alex - remus

reggie - sirius

bobby - peter

caleb - snape

willie - lily

nick - barty

carrie - evan

i started replying to this when i first messaged you so apparently i have thoughts 👀

REG WOULD PERFORM TF PUT OF WAKE UP and there would be unsaid emily level of tears also the irony of james seeing the floating chairs and being like 😳witch😳

luke and james are the embodiment of each other OMG. i love i love i love !!

can you imagine the girls am i right but with them. it’s be like james serenades sirius and 💅panic💅 and is like 😳ahaha girls am i right😳 and james is like 🤭yea🤭 then remus very blatantly looks him up and down and is like ☺️no❤️☺️. but also i can 100% see remus go on a date to scream in a museum he’d 100% go back afterwards when they’re having difficulties and having his hsm3 troy bolton moment

i’m just thinking of the i i i i i want a puppy before this band is back then him sulking. however flip it to reg, evan and barty for the c’mon reginald and ahhhhh but imagine the whole reg and carlos thing where he becomes a big brother but imagine he does it because he never got to say bye to his little brother and he wants that part of him to feel whole 🥺

where do you stand on the whole bobby thing? like do you think he was entering his villain era or do you think the label saw a grieving kid and took advantage? but as for pete i can just imagine him being haunted by the ghosts of his past and then bolting to go see a therapist. would pete change his name/what to?

caleb could pull off snape’s outfit but could snape pull off caleb’s? also are we talking like grown snape or do you have a certain fc i should be picturing? OMG IMAGINE LILY PUTTING PURPLE BUTTERFLY CLIPS IN HIS HAIR TO MATCH HIS OUTFIT LIKE THE BOI IS ALL GRUMPY LOOKING BUT HES GIT THESE CUTE ASS PURPLE BUTTERFLY CLIPS IN

we’re keeping the skateboarding right? because lily skateboarding isn’t something i knew i needed in my life but she’d be so badass!! i would’ve never thought about lily being willie but it’s clear now..i see the vision

i can see barty as nick but he’s have to be sooo much more sarcastic. THAT MEANS THAT THE ITS NICK SCENE WOULD HAPPEN BETWEEN REG AND BARTY AND OH I DONT THINK I WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE HIS FACE also does nick canonically have a last name or is the fandom still going by danforth-evans?

evan as carrie omg!! he would perform the fuck out of all eyes on me. james bouncing in for the ✨ding✨ as well omg!!

wait wait wait pandora as my main girl flynn?

[fuckmymunson]

↳˗ˏˋWhat your favorite HP character says about you:ˊˎ˗ ↴

a/n: don't @ me, this is just a big ol' joke, and you have no idea how much I laughed while doing this. These are my opinions and I’m mostly making fun of myself, so keep that in mind! <3.

↳- Marauders Era! -༉‧₊˚✧

James Potter: The straight A+ student now suffers from raging anxiety and drools for old men. No, come back, I'm talking to you.

Sirius Black: How are your mommy issues going on, dear? Is this one your favorite because it's cool, or you're just really horny? And, how's that desire to get everyone's approval going on?

Remus Lupin: We get it, you like this one! Shut up for five minutes. How do you cope with your daddy issues? Oh, yeah? You don't care? Then why are you crying?

Peter Pettigrew: How does it feel to be ignored in the group chat? Oh, sorry, I wasn't paying attention.

Lily Evans: Mommy issues, probably bisexual, middle sibling vibes.

Marlene Mckinnon: I wanna make fun of you, but is so obviously correct. Also, how’s your relationship with your parents? Do they know you're not straight?

Regulus Black: How do you cope with your depression? How does it feel to have the weight of the world on your shoulders? Why do you pretend everything’s fine?

Severus Snape: Thank you for letting me know to ignore all your future opinions. Please, stop ghosting your therapist.

Bellatrix Lestrange/Black: Officer, is this one, right here. I’m terrified of you, please stay 10 meters away from me.

↳- Lighting Era! -༉‧₊˚✧

Harry Potter: The safest option, maybe a little bit overrated, but is still a good one! You have an insatiable desire for sub-boys. Bisexual vibes but you only date gamer boys, nothing more.

Ron Weasley: You’ll never grow out of this phase. You wear converse and you have a transparent phone case. You order matcha, at Starbucks, with oat milk.

Hermione Granger: This may not be everyone’s favourite, but it’s yours and s’ok. Marina stan, Hermit the Frog on repeat. 

Draco Malfoy: This was a big part of your sexual awakening. Daddy issues. You smell nice.

Ginny Weasley: Book biased? You have worryingly anger issues. Movie biased? Please seek help immediately.

Cedric Diggory: You have impeccable taste. You’re gorgeous, be my bestie, no questions.

Fred and/or George Weasley: Perfect out-of-the-box pick! The quality is just high and enough, and the popularity is low enough. But I know what you read, you want both at the same time, am I right? Disgusting (call me xo).

Luna Lovegood: So true. You’re right, you’re correct. You are insane, your mental illness is getting worse every day, but, at least you have a good sense of fashion. Gay vibes, stop playing with your septum please.

Tom Riddle: Nostalgia makes the good things seem great. S’just a phase, I promise. Is like the default settings when you start reading/watching HP.

Voldemort: This was the perfect outside-the-box pick, like, 10 years ago, but so many people that didn't wanna be mainstream picked it that it became mainstream. Please stop with that superiority complex, you’re a very ordinary human being.

[lumosinlove]

Vaincre

~

It’s here!! Thank you all for the support of this universe, it truly means so very much to me. Every time I get a comment, or get to read the fan fiction you all write, see the art you create...it just fills me with so much joy. I’m so excited to share the Sweater Weather sequel with you, Vaincre! Go Lions!

cw: brief mention of past injury and past abuse

~

part i: July

I’ve been holding my breath

I’ve been counting to ten

~

The media wasn’t kind. There were network shows and blogs. Magazines and papers and podcasts. Not to mention Twitter.

Remus had heard his name on all of them, even if he wasn’t listening. It was part of Alice’s job to make sure he knew what was being said about him. It was his job to tune most of it out. Some outrage. Some elation. Some confusion.

This is my question, one podcast asked. I mean, I’m happy for Black. Lupin, too. I’m happy for the hockey world to have this happen, it’s about time, I mean, tune it, come on, and all that.

I’m confused about the, you know, ‘let’s put the PT on the roster.’ I’ve seen college clips, like, those have been released, we know that he got injured, we know all that. He’s fast, we know that, too. But a lot of guys are fast.

Just…what a move by Coach Weasley. A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

Remus had always loved to run. It cleared his head. It had been one of the forms of exercise he had been able to do first once his shoulder had healed, before weights or any sort of strength training. His therapists had recommended it. Endorphins, they had said.

But Remus liked it because it was the closest he had been able to get to gliding on the ice, even when he still couldn’t stand to even look at a rink.

A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

Remus was used to not knowing. He was beginning to think he thrived on it. Would he play hockey again? Would he ever find love? Would Sirius want him?

Was this really happening?

He didn’t think of dreams as coming so late, but, then again, why should dreams be put on any sort of time schedule?

Now, he banged out the screen door and onto the rickety, well-loved porch of the lake house that had been passed down through his family for years. His mother and her brothers split it up in the summer, overlapping for a week or so, and there were always little gifts left behind for each family at the trade-off. A bottle of the best maple syrup, or some of the local honey. They were small, but Remus smiled when he saw what his uncle and aunt and cousins had left for him and Sirius after his parents and Julian had given them the month of July with the house to themselves. A little flower arrangement with two hockey sticks, carved out of wood, sticking up in the middle.

Sirius had plucked one from the dirt, twirled it over in his fingers, and smiled.

“Your family will never stop surprising me.”

Green Lake was deep, prime for fishing, and gorgeous. The smell of the water, of the soil and sweet summer air was as good as home to Remus. He breathed it in now as he bent to lace up his sneakers. He could smell the fire pit that they had lit last night, one that he and Julian had roasted thousands of marshmallows over.

“I showed Jules how to roast the perfect marshmallow here,” Remus had said that first July night, leaning back against Sirius’ chest.

Sirius had blew out his burnt-black one. “Like this?”

Remus had scoffed. “No, you heathen.”

Sirius looked good here, surrounded by the woods and rusty cabin, wearing the old fleeces that never seemed to leave this place for when the sun had yet to warm the chilly mornings. Some mornings, they’d make their coffee, tangle their socked feet together on the small couch until the sun began to get high and they’d strip it all off in favor of swimsuits and sunscreen. Other mornings, Remus would rise, pressing a gentle kiss to Sirius’ sleeping face, and take to the dirt road that ran around the lake.

Sirius, just off of the hard won playoffs, needed to rest. Remus needed to train.

A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

They would leave in two days for Pascal’s Cup Day celebration, and then to meet Remus’ parents, his little brother Julian, and Regulus back in Gryffindor for Sirius’ Cup Day. And August training. Remus stretched his hands to his toes and closed his eyes. A strange type of adrenaline filled him whenever he thought about practicing with the team, about the fitness tests that would come first. He’d have to prove himself again and again. He wanted to. But part of him wondered what would happen if he couldn’t.

The screen door squeaked open and shut again, and Remus jumped, looking up to find Sirius, still sleep rumpled, standing there in running shorts.

Remus laughed, reaching up to trace a pillow crease in his cheek. “You’re supposed to be sleeping in while you can.”

Sirius let out a grumbly sort of yawn and gathered his hair, long from the summer and just brushing his chin now, back into a small half-up bun.

“I can’t believe you do this before coffee.”

“Too acidic. Gives you running stitches.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sirius sighed, and threw his arm around Remus’ shoulders as they walked up the steep driveway to the road.

Remus kissed his wrist. “I’ll miss being here with you.”

Sirius smiled. He was tan from the summer, hair dark as ever and his skin sun-kissed.

Remus leaned into his shoulder. “I mean look at you. I like seeing you this relaxed.”

Sirius bit his lip as the rounded a bend, waving at Mrs. Barrow, who was tending to her garden.

“I don’t think I knew I could be this relaxed,” Sirius admitted. “It was always train, train, train, you didn’t get a Cup, try harder.”

Remus was familiar with the notes that appeared in Sirius’ voice now from years of Sirius’ small slips in conversation, even when, to Remus, Sirius had only been they youngest captain in the league, cold and reserved from even more years of his father’s abusive, relentless attitude towards hockey and Sirius’ skills. Even when Remus had only been the team’s physical therapist, closeted, crushing on Sirius, and surprised by the cracks Sirius showed when he had gotten his ankle smashed by Severus Snape, Captain of the Slytherin Snakes—the Gryffindor Lions greatest rivalry. Pain, it had seemed, and fear of never stepping on the ice again, had given Remus his first glimpses into a different Sirius beneath it all, a boy who was filled with much more than just a need to win, but for whom the want of winning only made him love his sport, and his team, more.

“And now that you have a Cup?” Remus asked. “How’re you feeling?”

They came to the road and Sirius balanced on one foot, stretching his thigh. “Now that I have you,” he said. “I’m feeling just fine.”

Remus snorted. “Yeah, the Stanley Cup Champion part has nothing to do with it.”

Sirius laughed, but took Remus’ face between his palms. “If I didn’t have you, and I had only a Cup, all I would be doing right now is thinking about another Cup.”

Remus put a hand on his chest, fingers finding the number twelve pendant that rested there.

“Now, there’s more,” Sirius said simply, and leaned down for a tender kiss. “Like your mother’s peach pie.”

Remus punched him in the arm as Sirius laughed loudly.

“You’ll have to beat me if you want a slice of that!” Remus called as he took off.

Sirius made a wounded noise, but sprinted after him until they were side by side again.

~

“I don’t think I can leave this beach,” Leo mumbled into the lounging cabana they were spread out beneath, and Logan looked down at him from where he was reading—trying to read—one of the books Finn had given him. He didn’t know how many books Finn had tried to get him to read over the years, but he knew he never made it through more than a few pages without looking up, getting distracted, or having to go back.

“Non?” Logan asked.

Leo shook his head. “The sun. The sea. I’m in heaven.”

“What about hockey?”

“Brr.”

Logan laughed and settled back into the pillows, setting the book aside and rolling towards Leo to feel his sun-warmed back and leaned down to kiss his temple. A private beach definitely had its perks—and so did three hockey salaries.

“We’ll just stay here, then.”

They’d had a good summer. Leo’s Cup Day, Finn’s, his own, all in their hometowns and accompanied by large parades and fanfare. Logan had finally gotten to take Leo home to his sisters and parents for the first time. It had been nice to see Finn around his family again, too, after what felt like eons of avoiding him in that small gap between being at Harvard and then them both making it to the NHL, and to the Lions.

Leo’s sleepy smile up at him melted Logan like ice in the sun.

“Okay, good,” Leo said, then his eyes went behind Logan. “There’s the ghost-on-toast with our drinks.”

Logan snorted and looked up to see Finn—and Finn’s tiny blue swim shorts that he insisted weren’t see-through—walking towards them through the sand from the resort bar with a tray of drinks in his hands.

“Hey, lover-nuts,” Finn said as he set the tray down in the shade. “Got us some snacks, too. That bar tender loves me.”

“You are so pale,” Leo laughed. “I love you, though, please put more sunscreen on.”

“Keep your sandy feet off my towel,” Logan nudged Finn’s foot with his own as he reached for his drink. Finn just smiled and nodded at the book.

“How is it?” Finn asked.

Logan just looked at him.

He laughed and ran a hand through Logan’s salty, damp hair. “I know. I’ll read it to you later. I just thought you might want something for the beach!”

Logan held up his cocktail. “I have something for the beach.”

They settled back under their cabana, the thin, white linen curtains fluttering around them in the three o’clock breeze. Maybe Logan, as he closed his eyes between Leo and Finn, Leo’s hand still on his thigh, Finn’s arm pillowing the back of his neck, never wanted to leave this beach, either.

“Back to Gryffindor tomorrow,” Logan said.

“Group chat says most guys’ll be back this week,” Finn said, squinting at his phone over his sunglasses. “We gotta be back for Dumo’s, and then Cap’s Cup Day. That’ll be nice, man.”

“I like that they’re bringing it to Gryffindor Pride,” Leo said, rolling onto his back. “Should have thought of that. Or, I guess…” Leo trailed off and Logan frowned. They couldn’t do that. Not yet, at least. Leo caught Logan’s expression and rested a reassuring hand on his thigh. “I’m glad we get to go, even if its for them on the surface. That’s real thoughtful of them, you know?”

Logan nodded. It was thoughtful. When Remus and Sirius had brought it up to them, he’d found himself getting a little choked up.

“We want you guys to be able to experience that, too,” Remus had said. “If you want. No matter what you decide to do public-wise in the future.”

Finn clicked his phone off and chucked it to the side. “Hey, don’t take me off island time yet. We’ll order to the room, eat on the deck, hike up and stargaze…”

Finn rattled off the perfect list, tilting towards Logan until their lips met.

“And then we’ll go win another Cup.”

Leo and Logan punched him at the same time.

~

Thomas sat in the shade with Kasey as they watched Alex try to take on Natalie and Noelle at pool basketball.

“I really think they’re going to accidentally drown him,” Thomas said thoughtfully.

“He probably thinks that, too, and is just too competitive to stop,” Kasey replied.

Thomas laughed, and held out his beer to cheers.

“This is a nice house the O’Haras have, man,” he looked at the sparkling ocean beyond the steps and fence, and at the pool with the grill and lounge chairs. They’d only come up for the weekend, between training and visiting their own families, and before returning to Gryffindor for the season.

“Tell me about it.”

“Cheating!” Alex spluttered from the pool as Natalie put all of her weight on him to dunk him under the water. Alex pointed very seriously to the foot marker on the side tile. “We agreed from that to Thomas’ chair, I was too far away!”

“Too bad!” Noelle shouted as she made another basket.

Thomas didn’t think it was the alcohol that made him feel a little fuzzy at the edges as he looked over her in her swimsuit. She was all curves of tanned muscle, softened the summer around her stomach and arms. Thomas was a goner. But she seemed pretty gone, too, so he guessed it was all right.

“This moment’s always rough,” Kasey said softly from beside him, and when Thomas looked at him questioningly, he gestured vaguely with his beer. “The end of July. One more month, but not really. Alex’ll go back for training, you know? It’s like a trick. I always think, I get three months with these two. But it’s more like two and the first week of August.”

Thomas nodded. “I know. Noelle, too. Her training camp starts on the eight. I’m just…”

Kasey sighed in sympathy.

“At least you have Nat, you know?” Thomas said. “Not that I’m saying you have it easier, I just…”

Kasey shook his head. “I know. Believe me, I’m thankful for that every day. But…when you miss someone, you miss someone.”

Thomas nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, exactly.”

Last season hadn’t been too bad. His relationship with Noelle had been new. They only really knew FaceTime dates, and squeezed in weekend flights that sometimes left them more exhausted than sated. They had been taking it slow. Thomas had been kissed by Noelle—a lot. Enough to make him dizzy with it. Only, then she’d met him at the airport in Quebec, they’d spent a month with her family in France…

And Thomas wasn’t sure he knew how to do just FaceTime anymore. There was a new yearning, knotted just below his heart. He knew what her skin felt like under his hands now, knew what she looked like right when she waked up, even her skincare routine before bed. It would feel like being away from the ice for too long, the knot pulling tight. He thought this year was going to be harder. Maybe he knew it, but if he did, he was pretending it might be easy still.

“T,” Noelle called, floating on her back, dark hair fanned out in the water. “C’mere!”

Thomas smiled, setting his drink down. He would come, whenever she called. Wherever.

~

Cole Reyes didn’t know if Adele Dumais staring at him the way she was was a good thing, or a bad thing. He was nervous enough without the seemingly disapproval of Pascal Dumais'—the Pascal Dumais of the Gryffindor Lions, oldest player in the league—teenage daughter.

“Don’t you talk?” Marc, one of his sons, asked.

Cole blinked. “Uh. Yeah. Yeah.”

Adele waved her brother off. “They’re always super nervous at first. Remember Sirius?”

Marc scoffed. “I was a baby.”

Cole let out a breath. Now they were casually talking about Sirius Black, who had lived in the very room Cole had been sleeping in for a week now when he was a rookie, too. It was the same with Logan Tremblay. He felt like he needed to keep the room pristine, like he was living in some Hockey Hall of Fame museum that he had not earned the right to be in yet.

“You’re still a baby,” Adele shot back.

“Kids,” came Celeste, Pascal’s wife’s voice from where she was setting the table. “Come on now.”

“Sorry, maman,” Marc said softly.

“Sorry,” Adele sighed more reluctantly.

“Go help your father with the grill, you two,” she said. “Everyone will be arriving soon.”

Katie, Celeste and Pascal’s youngest daughter, perked up from where she was sitting beside Cole, drawing. Not Pascal, Dumo—Cole kept having to remind himself that he could call Pascal by his nickname now, that it was all official, that he was a Gryffindor Lion, too. Katie hadn’t left his side since he arrived a week ago to billet with the Dumais, and he still wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“Even the Cup?” she asked.

Celeste laughed. “Oui, ma cherie. Cole? Would you mind going to get the flowers for the table? They’re on the kitchen counter, just inside.”

“Oh, sure, Mrs. Dumais,” Cole nodded, glad for something to do. The thought of the Cup arriving gave him the chills. He’d have to be careful not to touch it. He was scared to even look at it, to be honest. His mom would be laughing at him right about now. He wanted to call her afterwards, tell her everything.

“Call me Celeste, I told you, please,” Celeste smiled. She was lovely, with her dark hair twisted and clipped up and a summer dress as green as her eyes, silky against her olive skin.

Cole flushed, but smiled. “Celeste.”

Cole made his way through the sliding door from the back yard and through the dining room. The kitchen was one of the biggest rooms in the house—and it was a big house. Beautiful copper pans hung shining above the island, along with some herbs that Celeste grew and dried herself. It looked like something out of a magazine to Cole, and it was nice, but it wouldn’t beat his mom’s kitchen in the small apartment they shared in Boston. The small space would fill up to the brim with the smell of spices, or cobbler. The thought sent a pang right to his heart. He missed home, that was for sure. After being away for so long, for so many hockey camps, he’d hoped he would be more used to it by now.

The flowers were right where Celeste had said they would be, and he was reaching for one when the back door that led to the garage dinged open. Cole froze, sure that he was about to run into captain Sirius Black completely unprepared, when a girl stepped through instead. She was dressed in denim shorts and a white tank top, had dark brown skin, and a Gryffindor College hat over her hair, which was plaited back into many small braids.

She smiled when she saw him. No sign of surprised, or of the nervousness Cole felt when he met basically anyone.

“You must be Cole,” she said.

Cole nodded. The girl was gorgeous. Cole was a mess of nerves already. He didn’t need the stare of the teenage daughter of one of his idols, but he especially could not handle a beautiful girl right now.

“Yeah,” Cole said. “No, yeah, um. Yes.”

The girl strode forward, setting her bag down on the counter, along with a water bottle decorated in stickers. He caught a few Lions ones. She offered her hand, which was slender and had two golden rings on it. “I’m Layla. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Cole took it, trying to place her. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, I babysit for the Dumais family,” she said in explanation, then waved her hand. “Well, this year, at least. I’m actually—we’re going to be working together.”

Cole blinked. “You mean the Lions?”

She nodded. “I’m in the middle of my undergrad for physical therapy. Dumo’s amazing and he got me an internship under the new PT. You know. I’ll probably get you stick tape or something,” she laughed. “Congrats, by the way.”

Cole tilted his head and she raised an eyebrow.

“On making it to the NHL?”

“Oh,” Cole laughed. “Oh, I, yeah, thanks. You, too—or…yeah.”

Cole was going to stay in his room in the basement and never come out.

“I gotta—Mrs. Du—Celeste wants these flowers outside,” he said, picking the vases up.

“Sure thing,” Layla smiled.

“Layla,” came a shriek, and a moment later Katie Dumais came sprinting into the kitchen and wrapped herself around Layla’s legs and smiled at Cole. “This is my new hockey player.”

Cole couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t have a lot of experience with kids, but Katie sure was cute.

“Yours?” Layla gasped as she smiled at Cole. “He’s all yours, is he?”

Katie nodded. “Like Tremzy and Sirius. His name is Cole, like when Santa Clause doesn’t like you.”

Again, with the casual mentions of Logan Tremblay and Sirius Black.

“Oh, of course,” Layla laughed. “Well, I’m sure Santa Clause has never not liked you, babes. Let’s go let your mom know I’m here, okay? Your new hockey player can come with us, too.”

“He’s yours, too!” Katie insisted. “You’re here all the time, so he’s yours, too, don’t worry.”

“Oh, good,” Layla said. “I was worried.”

When Katie looked at Cole expectedly, Cole managed, “I guess everyone does need a hockey player?”

“Exactly!” Katie squealed, and Cole could only follow them outside, heart pounding.

~

It was good to be back in Gryffindor. Remus and Sirius had dropped their bags in Sirius’ entryway, said hello to Regulus, showered, and then hopped right back in the car to get to Pascal’s house.

“You two look disgustingly happy,” Regulus said, leaning forward from the back seat.

“We are,” Sirius grinned at him in the review mirror. “I am also happy,” he stroked the leather steering wheel of his Range Rover. “To be back with this baby.”

While Sirius’ hair had grown longer, Regulus had shaved his short. The curls were barely curls at all anymore, but Remus was happy to see that his seemingly ever-present dark circles had receded some.

“Why, thank you, Regulus, you look happy, too,” Remus snorted. “When do you leave for NYU’s orientation?”

“August 23rd,” he said. “Been texting with my housemates, too. They seem cool.”

“Maybe one of you will pull a Finn and fall in love with each other,” Sirius said.

“Twice,” Remus laughed, and Regulus did, too.

“I think I’ve had enough romance drama to last me a life time, thanks,” Regulus smiled. “But, yeah. I’m just…I’m focused on friends right now, I think. Normal, non-hockey creatures like you two. But that’s not to say if something came up…or I guess someone. Who knows.”

Sirius’ smile was softer this time. “Focus on whatever you want, Reg. You deserve it.”

Regulus just grumbled something about hockey gods, and then they were pulling up to the Dumais’. There were silver and white balloons lining the driveway and the fence to the backyard where, as Remus slammed his door, he could already hear laughter. A zing of excitement shot through him.

“I missed this team,” he sighed as Sirius took his hand.

Sirius pressed a kiss to his temple. “Your team.”

“Our team.”

“Jesus Christ,” Regulus said, and gave them a shove forward.

Thomas gave a loud woop when he spotted them coming out to the backyard. Regulus immediately made a B-line towards Leo and the Cubs.

“Yes! The Captain!” Thomas said and pulled Sirius into a hug. “Missed you, man.”

“You, too, T,” Sirius said. “Ready to tear it up?”

“You know it.”

Remus smiled as Thomas hugged him next. “I forgot you two train together before pre-season.”

“You two?” Thomas raised an eyebrow, the small gold hoops in his ears glinting in the sun. Remus noticed he’d shaved three stripes into one side of his head. They were a little wobbly. Maybe Noelle had done it. “You’re not coming with us?”

“You know how this one is about his routines,” Remus said, wrapping an arm around Sirius’ waist. “Wouldn’t want to mess anything up.”

“Please,” Sirius said. “I want you there more than I want a second—”

Remus and Thomas punched him at the same time.

“I know you weren’t just about to say that,” said an accented voice from behind Remus, and they turned to see Pascal standing there. He looked as he always did, smile lines around his eyes, gray streaks at his temples. He wore a white t-shirt and had Katie on his hip. She was definitely getting too big to be carried around like that, but Remus couldn’t see a time when Pascal would ever refuse her. He’d probably carry Adele around like that, too, if she’d let him.

“Dumo,” Sirius smiled, and took the two beers he was holding out, handing one to Remus. He kissed Katie’s forehead. “Good summer?”

“The best,” Pascal laughed, and nodded towards the edge of the yard. “Especially with the promise of seeing that thing again.”

Remus followed his gaze, and his breath caught, just as he knew it would. The Cup stood there, its guards near by with drinks and plates of food in their hands. It sat proudly on a table, surrounded by white tulips—no doubt Celeste’s doing.

“I’m excited to see you two bring it to the parade,” Pascal said. “That will be a wonderful day for everyone.”

Remus glanced at where Logan, Leo, and Finn were standing with Kasey Winter, Gryffindor’s goalie, and his partners Natalie, with her long blonde hair, and Finn’s brother Alex, who played for Tampa Bay.

Sirius’ smile lit up his face. “It will be.”

Remus peered around him. “Is that our rookie?”

Sirius scoffed. “A rookie can’t call a fellow rookie rookie, rookie.”

Remus blinked. “What did you just say?”

“That’s Cole!” Katie said. “I love him.” Then she turned and shouted his name again. He looked up from where he was standing quietly beside Jackson Nadeau, another player, and Remus suppressed a smile at the way his eyes widened when he saw Sirius.

“Oh, here we go,” Sirius mumbled.

“Oh, hush,” Remus said, and sounded far too much like his mother to himself. “You’re going to be throwing hands for him the second someone gets close, and you know it.”

“I don’t know how to tell rookies I’m just a person!” Sirius whispered as Cole began to make his way over. “They act all…”

“Star struck?” Thomas offered.

Sirius just glowered at him.

Cole Reyes did not look as young as he was. Even at 19, he was jacked, and tall, with light brown skin, green eyes, and a stripe shaved into one of his eyebrows. His hair was shaved at the sides, but longer on the top and in tight curls.

Remus glanced somewhat self-consciously down at himself. He could only put on more muscle healthily so fast. He thought he’d been doing well, but looking at Cole…

“Hello,” Cole said hesitantly and Pascal set Katie down and clapped Cole on the shoulder.

“Reyes, meet Sirius. Sirius, meet the boy who is a much better billet than you ever were.”

Sirius snorted, and Cole laughed—nervously.

“Hi, Cole,” Sirius said, and held out his hand. “I know we spoke briefly over the summer, but it’s nice to officially meet you.”

“You, too,” Cole said, smile slight. “Thanks for the call. My mom freaked out. I mean—well, me too, but my mom…” Cole stuttered out, wincing.

“Loves me?” Sirius laughed. “I get that a lot.”

“He’s so humble,” Remus shook his head jokingly. “Hi Cole, I’m Remus. Welcome to the team.”

“You too…?” Cole said hesitantly. “Well, the roster, I guess.”

“Cole,” Katie said, taking his large hand in her small one. “Come meet Tremzy. He’s my best friend.”

Sirius feigned a pout. “What about me?”

Katie smiled sheepishly, throwing herself at Sirius’ legs, “You, too!”

“Always one-uped by Tremblay,” Thomas laughed, shaking his head. “How’s it feel, Cap?”

“Wonderful,” Sirius said dryly and then looked down at Katie, petting her head. “Go on, go show Cole your best friend.”

They watched her lead Cole through the crowd for a moment before Sirius huffed.

“See?” Sirius whispered to Remus. “It’s like he’s scared of me.”

“I’ve never heard you use the phrase spoke briefly in my life. Who are you, Alice?”

“I was trying to be professional!”

Remus laughed. “Why?”

Sirius just rolled his eyes and dragged him over to stack their plates with food.

The party went well into the evening, the sky pink and blue in the setting sun. There were lanterns floating in the pool where Evgeni and Jackson were playing chicken with a delighted Marc and Louis, or sometimes one of Coach Arthur Weasley’s boys, on their shoulders. Logan was sitting with Cole and Finn, cradling a sleepy Katie against his chest, Leo and Regulus laughing with Kasey and Alex.

Remus found Sirius again standing alone in front of the Cup. His hair was falling into his face, the curls gentled by the evening breeze and the Cup’s silver surface reflecting the silver of Sirius’ eyes. Remus went to stand beside him, and neither of them spoke for a moment.

“I’m nervous,” Remus broke the silence.

Sirius nodded. “I know, mon loup.”

Remus sighed, resting his head against Sirius’ arm. “Yeah?”

“Of course,” Sirius switched his drink to his other hand so he could run his fingers through Remus’ hair. “This is…big.”

“It’s what I’ve always wanted,” Remus whispered. It felt dangerous, to say the words aloud. “It’s everything that I lost. Last time.”

Remus could still feel Fenrir Greyback rip at his shoulder, even if it was years ago now, while they were still at college. Being in the NHL meant that Remus would have to play against him again whenever they met Vegas.

Sirius turned towards him, hand on his cheek.

“You will have this,” he said earnestly, and then smile, reaching into his shirt for his necklace, the one Remus had gifted him last Christmas. He brought it to his lips. “Loops.”

Remus smiled at the now familiar sight, touching the pendant when Sirius’ let it drop.

“You know,” Remus said. “You’re everything I’ve always wanted, too.”

Sirius’ smile was one of Remus’ favorites, and he tucked him against his side. Remus followed his gaze to find him looking at Cole again.

“I’m not happy with the way it happened,” Sirius said softly, and Remus knew he was thinking of the pictures that someone had leaked of them kissing. The pictures that had upturned their entire lives. “But I’m glad I get to hold you like this in front of new faces. I wasn’t thinking about trades—I try not to—but getting Reyes, if things had been different, would have meant we were back to square one at parties like these.”

Remus nodded, taking a drink. “And he seemed okay with it. With us.”

“I was thinking we should invite him to train with us. With me, you, and T. Maybe Dumo would join, too. I know he usually goes with Sergei, but Sergei might be with Kuns and Nado, even though they usually like it just them. The Cubs—”

“Okay, Captain, okay,” Remus laughed.

Sirius pressed a hand over his eyes, laughing. “I just don’t like it when they’re nervous around me. Like Leo was. It’s so much better now that we’re friends.”

“You’ll get there with him,” Remus said. “Yeah, invite him to train with us. The more the merrier.”

Secretly, Remus wanted to see how Cole trained. He couldn’t shake the analytical side of him, the physical therapist side. Cole was built for such a young age.

“If I didn’t know better,” Sirius said softly, mouth close to Remus’ ear. “I’d say you were checking him out.”

Remus spluttered. “I’m not! I want to know his routine!”

Sirius cracked up. “This is your superstition, isn’t it? Cracking other player’s codes.”

Remus just shrugged, smiling into his cup.

“Have you cracked my code?” Sirius asked in the low voice he used that made Remus not want to be surrounded by people.

Remus looked up at him. “Maybe. It certainly has nothing to do with a piece of toast at five o’clock.”

“My pre-game toast is very important to me.”

Remus leaned up to press a quick kiss to his lips. “No, you just like honey and cinnamon.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “Okay, I’m going to talk to Reyes now.”

“Catch him if he passes out.”

Sirius just glowered over his shoulder as he stalked across the grass. Remus looked around at the back yard, at the team, together again. His team.

[lupiningwolves]

Always the one comforting | James Potter x fem!reader

summary: Y/n is always there for everyone. But nobody seems to care for her...

warnings: crying, angst?, fluff, comfort

—

Y/n was known as the therapist of Hogwarts. Whenever somebody didn’t feel okay, stressed or needed to talk, she was always there for whoever needed her. It was in her nature to comfort them and do everything she could to make them smile. And she always succeeded.

But keeping all those secrets and never having anyone to talk to herself, was more than hard and exhausting. Y/n often found herself crying in Moaning Myrtle‘s bathroom. The ghost seemed to be the only one to understand her.

She wiped her tears away as she came out just before dinner when she heard a familiar voice behind her. „Y/n, hey, have you got a second?“, the younger Black asked.

She offered him a sympathetic smile. „Of course. Do you fancy a walk?“

„Yeah, that’d be great.“ They walked out of the castle next to each other, not saying a word until they were sure that nobody else listened.

„So, what’s wrong? Is it your family again?“, y/n asked him. He came to her often, sometimes just to walk around the castle without talking.

„Yes. I got a letter today, saying that a marriage was arranged for me.“ He didn’t dare to look at the girl next to him, but he knew that whatever she would say next, would make him feel better. Her words always did.

„Regulus, I am so sorry. Something like that shouldn’t happen anyone, especially not you. Maybe you should try to talk to Sirius. He could help you escape like he did. You could come to mine if you don’t have anywhere to be. Just remember that whatever you decide to do, I‘m here for you and support you.“ She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight before letting it go again.

„Thank you, y/n. Maybe you’re right. I‘ll try to fetch Sirius after dinner.“

They returned back to the castle and made their way to the Great Hall. Nobody cared that they were late, because everyone was so deep in their own conversations. Just James, who already wondered where his girlfriend was, was relieved to see her safe and sound.

„Thank you again, y/n. I’ll see you around“, Regulus said and went to the Slytherin table.

Y/n looked around the hall and locked her eyes with the ones from her boyfriend. Not even he knew how she felt; or so she thought. He waved her over to him and she quickly got to him.

„Hey“, she said smiling at him.

„Hi“, he answered and studied her face to see how she really felt. „What did Regulus want?“

„Oh, nothing. We just had a walk together“, y/n said. The others at the table didn’t even realise that y/n came which made her want to cry again.

They found her when they wanted to find her. But she was never found when she wanted to be found. Nobody ever listened to her. Probably because nobody could ever imagine that she didn’t show how she really felt.

„Come on, grab a plate. We‘re eating in my dorm“, James said. He saw how her facial expression changed.

„Why?“

„We need to talk.“ Her heart sunk. Hundreds of questions flooded in her head. What if she’s not good enough? What if something happened to him? What if he wants to break up?

James filled a plate for y/n, excused him to his friends and went with his girlfriend to his dorm.

Y/n sat down on his bed as he took the chair and sat in front of her. „Is everything okay? Has something happened?“, she asked him worried.

„You tell me.“ Now she was confused. „What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?“

„What do you mean?“, she whispered.

„Y/n, please, don’t lie to me. I know that you aren’t okay.“ He took her hands in his and dragged her on his lap. „Talk to me, cupcake. I‘m here for you.“ He wrapped his arms tightly around her and pushed her face in the crook of his neck.

It was the first time y/n had ever cried in front of someone else. James didn’t even realise it until he felt his sweater getting wet from her tears.

„I‘m so sorry“, she mumbled and wanted to stand up again, but James didn’t allow it.

„It’s okay, it’s okay. I got you. Talk to me. What’s going on?“

And she told him everything. How it’s getting to much for her and that she has nobody to talk to. And she felt bad, because James was sitting right in front of her. But he didn’t seem to mind that fact. Instead, he comforted her more.

„I don’t actually know what to say. But you can always talk to me and everyone around you. Just like we all talk to you. I’m here for you whenever you need me to listen. You’re the most wonderful person I have ever met, do you know that?“ That made her smile. „There is that beautiful smile from my beautiful girl. Now, get changed and cuddle with me.“

And she happily obeyed.

[sitp-recs]

hey liv! not sure if you got my prev ask but do you have any fics that feature the boys going to therapy? :’) thanks so much!

Hi anon, I’m sorry for the late reply! To answer your first ask, I can’t say I’ve ever read anything like By the Grace - that fic is really the best, most sensitive take on therapy I’ve seen so far. This is not a trope I read very often, but I hope you enjoy these!

Touched by @writcraft (2014, T, 7k)

On the insistence of his parents, Draco begins to see a therapist to discuss his difficulties with physical intimacy. When he changes his appointment time, Draco discovers he’s not the only one seeking assistance as a result of events which occurred during the war and he finds comfort in the most unexpected of places.

The Wheel by lastontheboat (2021, T, 13k)

Harry just wants to return to Auror duty. His therapist wants him to take a beginner pottery course first.

Pure Imagination by @aibidil (2018, T, 15k)

An eighth-year tale of depressed happiness, reluctant imagination, and conflicted hope. And skateboarding.

The Business of Saving Souls by RurouniHime (2011, E, 26k)

Draco's world is filled with ghosts, and not all of them are so easily banished.

On the Couch by Frayach (2014, E, 26k)

It’s a Mind Healer’s worse nightmare to lose a patient to suicide, but Mind Healer Nick Nichols can attest to the fact that a murder/suicide is even worse. If only Dr. Freud had come up with a sure cure for love.

A Piercing Comfort by talithan (2013, T, 44k)

When Harry Potter hits the lowest point of his life so far, it is not his friends who keep him honest. With Draco Malfoy's patience and guidance, Harry learns to stand on his own. The thing is, after the fact—he's no longer sure he wants to.

The Four Doors by @fluxweeed (2020, E, 48k)

It’s been four months since Harry lost his memory. Four months of dead ends and no answers. With time running out until his memories are gone for good, Harry agrees to a course of Legilimency therapy with a renowned specialist: Mind Healer Draco Malfoy.

Chocolate and Pastry by agentmoppet, anemonen (2018, E, 50k)

When Pansy bets Draco that there is no chance he and Harry could carry out a genuine romantic relationship, he and Harry form a plan. But as their fake relationship progresses, Draco sees a side of Harry he never expected.

Teenage Wasteland by GallaPlacidia (2020, M, 51k)

Draco never thought he’d end up as the sole guardian of a troubled teenage girl. Harry never thought he’d end up a werewolf. Being twenty-two is hard.

Dragons Don't Know Paradise by @teacup-tai (2020, E, 51k)

In 2004, when Remus spends two scary weeks in the ITU due to complications of pneumonia and his HIV condition, Sirius walks around the house like a ghost and Harry finds comfort and strength in Draco through a chat in an online LGBT forum. Harry falls for him, but Draco has a lot of secrets and, before long, will need to come clean—even if he believes that no one is able to understand a dragon.

Harry Potter and the elusive day off by pleasebekidding (2019, E, 71k)

Auror Potter needs a fucking break. He is wiped. He is exhausted. He probably didn't intend to put himself into a magical coma but these things happen. And who cares, really? He is comfortable in a house where he has hidden away all the shit he can't deal with.

Way Down We Go by @xiaq (2019, T, 110k)

In which Harry and Draco both run away from their pasts and conveniently choose to hide in the same tiny American town. It's super.

Forgive Those Who Trespass by Lomonaaeren (2012, E, 135k)

Harry Potter was convinced he had an ordinary, if inconvenient, life. Then Ron and Hermione vanished in the Department of Mysteries. And the only person who may know where they are is a mute Draco Malfoy. Mind the tags!

The Ordeal of Being Known by louisfake (2021, M, 146k)

When Auror Potter is anonymously cursed with silence by being forced to hide his own voice inside his mind, there's unfortunately only one person in the country with the qualifications to fix it: Certified and Licensed Healer Legilimens, Draco Malfoy, specialist in Mind Curses and Afflictions.

[lemme-just-oops]

Hello! Can you do AT with mc who has a bad relationship with family?

Alpheratz: When he first heard that you avoid your family, he thought it would be something like he has with his grandfather. That your family is just annoying, so he related. But when there is more to it, he avoids meeting your eyes for a moment. Apologizes for his insensitivity, and his quote to cheer you up is: "You are at least a solar system away from them now."

Arcturus: This man is shocked to say the least. A bad family did not exist in his eyes yet, because he was raised in a loving household and never witnessed anything bad. You can pinpoint the second his heart breaks apart and he promises that he can fix it for you, it surely is just a misunderstanding. But when you assure him that it cannot be a misunderstanding anymore, he hugs you. You need it. He is quite sensitive on that topic though, but he will listen to you talk about your thoughts whenever you need.

Pollux: He wants to play the role of your hero, so he will call himself your brother or your father, sometimes his cousin. He already has four siblings, surely his family will not notice one more member. And in fact, they don't. You got adopted, congratulations. If you mention that you eant to visit your biological family, whether it is to get your things or make the relationship better, he will be by your side.

Sirius: Just say the word and he will destroy their lives from inside out. They will never know what hit them. You just need to tell you their secrets. Their jobs, their allergies, and how much you want to be avenged. His actions can range from rubbing citrus on every surface to make them all believe in ghosts. And if you ever flinch as a side effect fron the way you were raised, he will give then a long torturing visit. When asked what he did to them, he says you don't need to know.

Spica: Do you want to sue them for harm? He is a man of power, he can make it happen. But if you say you don't, he has a lot of other means to support you. If you want to see a therapist for the situation, he will find you one. If you want him to listen to you vent about them, he puts everything aside to do so. He wants you to be sure that you have options to help yourself. Now that you are not with them, you can take a step back and analyse what you like and hate about them. The points of tension between you. He will offer guidance when it is hard to look through the fog of emotions in your mind.

Vega: He did not have a family for most of his time, so here you two are. Miserable about the lack of love and affection you received. When you mention how your family makes you feel, he has trouble finding the right words. His advice will not be easy to find, he is stuck on the thought that you could leave them behind. Abandon them. But he knows the answer is not so simple. If you want to run away, he will help you find a place to stay. He will work on the things you never got support for. You might become a family to each other, just from the feeling of not having been raised properly and thus being able to read what the other one may need.

[limetimo]

RAB fics I read (17-25 May)

Love Covers Over a Multitude of Sins by crazyparakiss  “Didn’t your father teach you to never question your brother, Regulus Black?” /  “In this filthy world, full of muddied blood, only a Black is good enough to birth a Black.” Blackcest, deeply touching in a fucked up way

vitriol spills forth from my lips (i wish it were acid instead) by Anonymous In which Sirius needs a therapist but bullying will have to do, and in which Regulus is the unfortunate collateral damage.

A Battle Undone by asterialunar James discovers the love of his life isn't dead after all. In which Regulus hid in the Room of Requirement for five years. Can they build a life together now?

Dead Men's Requests by Anonymous Regulus' ghost shoots out of Voldy's wand in GoF and he asks Harry to deliver some messages. Unexpectedly cute af

just lovers (like we were supposed to be) by zeppazariel James accidentally fake dates his way to bisexual awakening AND true love.

Upon the Horizon's Verge by tenrousei_kuroi Regulus/Sirius/Remus/James gangbang with a little bit of plot *thumbs up*

Snuggles With Snuffles by FeistyAster, just_a_whorecrux In his animagus form Sirius can hear Regulus having nightmares and starts spending nights with him to sooth them. One night things... escalate. Blackcest

Fault Line by doshu for thistlecat Sirius kind of accidentally groomed Regulus into equating sex with brotherly love,,, and even after Sirius ran away form home and realised that fucking one's brother isn't a-okay, Regulus didn't get the memo. In which the Black brothers are very different and very similar.

Just Cuddle In Close by Anonymous James/Regulus/Sirius

Like Stars They Burn by ZionSunrise Sirius finds about the Dark Mark, they have love-hate sex, Regulus dies.

Regulus's New Pet by Anonymous After Regulus is almost mauled by a werewolf under the Whomping Willow, he finds himself in an unexpected position of power over his brother's friend. And I mean, he's a Slytherin.

But no one told me I could go too far... by Anonymous Regulus and Pandora become besties, elope to Italy and hunt the Horcruxes ♥♥♥ SWEET.

Tell Me How To Be In This World by TabeaOrNotTabea Regulus did a Thing before he died but it was kinda obscure blood magic thing and Harry Potter, father of five, has a shock of his life when Sirius Remus James and Lily pop up in his front lawn. Dolohov, Bellatrix, Pettigrew (and Regulus) pop up in Diagon Alley.

Ghosts by vivi1138 Regulus finds himself a ghost. Being dead doesn't mean he can't get shit done.

In The Shadows of Flashing Lights by ifyouwvntto this is looking interseting af. James and his little, not very famous music band of four years (Sirius Remus Lily) are betrayed by their songwriter Peter Pettigrew. Pop star Regulus (who secretly anonymously writes songs for other artists) is done with being a puppet and is working on ripping himself away form his studio and family. They can help each other.

I am terribly sorry for dying by Anonymous for coincidences Regulus can't believe he has to deal with this bullshit. Dying was supposed to bring him peace, not bureaucracy battles! Also how dares Narcissa have a baby and have a Malfoy spawn usurp Regulus' rightful place of the family's youngest.

Marionette by Anonymous Regulus loves Barty. He loves him. He loves him. If he says it enough times it may even become true.

R.E.N.E.W.A.L. by Doreling for Kidansong oh this is a fun one, Hermione and Kreacher have a time dust accident at the battle of the ministry of magic and get yeeted to the 70s. They make friends with Regulus and Snape and Lily and start project RENEWAL.

Trials and Tribulations by lemon_drps Regulus is straight up not having a good time and his self-made drug is failing and he's also gay and engaged to a girl and very much a poor little meow meow bastard man

The Secrets of Regulus Black by Josiem Secrets. Regulus has many of them. A bit of a slow start but it's looking good!

Pranksters and Poets by blackpotterdanvers Marauders meet Dead Poet Society but we're promised a happy ending *checks the tags just for sure* Not Canon Compliant yeah we're good

don't leave me (i want you here with me) by Anonymous a mind fuck is what this is, Blackcest but not really

beneath the ocean waves by Anonymous Regulus' animagus for is an octopus and it saves his life in the cave. Very funny with an open ending!

Borrowing Against the Past by Anonymous for coincidences screaming. Regulus didn't go to the cave, has a bookshop in Hogsmeade and a wife and children and he helps Sirius when Sirius breaks out of the Azkaban and... I can't finish this summary without spoiling the mindfuck so go read it!

Diptych by pansysnarkinson Regulus and the Diary of Tom Riddle

Ancient Runes by Soupy_George Remus and Regulus become friends over, you guessed it, the Ancient Runes

Good Old-Fashioned Loverboy by TakeSwimingLessons At 16, Sirius Black run away to Potters. At 16, Regulus Black runs away to Uncle Alphard. Alternatively, the story of James Potter's bisexual awakening. I loooove Regulus fashion sense, give it to me!

Daylight by mrthisisnotme Remus is pining after Sirius, background Jegulus

Fated to Fall by ouzell soulmates AU! Jegulus

All The Lonely People by tinyscales accidental baby acquisition via Room Of Requirement turns Regulus' life upside down but he doesn't really care because his baby Harry is so so so worth everything.

rewrite my heart (let the future in) by secretpersona :D :D :D

Black Stag by euphoricmelodyy non magical AU, I want to HURT Regulus' ballet instructor with my bare hands babe you're 14 and your gums are bleeding please stop malnourishing yourself for some old bitch's approval :( You won't be a Romeo if you die :( On the bright side, the friendships are impeccable

Star Stepper by Ourania95 Regulus runs away from home to Muggle London, is patting himself on the back for getting a good mark in muggle homeless living which is both a reasonable thing to want and possible to achieve; meanwhile Orion is slowly losing his sanity trying to find him :D

clandestine meetings by VioletMoony Regulus has to befriend the Marauders to spy on them. He is very grumpy about it. He and James are at each other's neck, homoerotically

The Marauders and the Chamber of Secrets by SilverShadow1 marauders plus lily plus regulus reading the chamber of secrets

Auror Academy - the class of 1979 by Regulus_Potter AUROR REGULUS HELLO???

Regulus And Barty's Magical Adventure by Anonymous for Grey_Kenaz I, for one, think that patricide is very sexy of Barty. Regulus does not agree with me, but he tags along because that's what friends are for.

A Lovely Little Normal Life by mothmage not a Regulus fic but a BAMF Petunia fic you shouldn't overlook

[shinymooncolor]

O'Knutzy centered chat?

Alright. Here’s a little thing for this. It’s centered on O’Knutzy but takes a detour to get to the point.

I’ve snuck in a nod to parks and Rec... lemme know if you spot it!

Thanks to @lumosinlove for giving us the gift of sweater weather!

@frombeauxbatons this is a little bit for you too!

—

James makes a group chat. Dumo doesn’t want to be the dad. Kasey knows a lot about sex. Sunny sees things. Leo is embarrassed. Logan gets a gift. Finn is a little proud of himself. The team has named O’Knutzy as the unholy trinity.

—

James created a group chat

James added kasey, dumo, Sergei, Sunny, Sirius, Remus

James: dumo we had a vote. You need to talk to the unholy trinity about this. There’s nothing wrong with some road trip action. God knows Nado literally has a booty call on hand in every city we visit. But there’s also the fact that walls are thin. @kasey already agreed to do the actual sex talk part. So it’s on you two.

Dumo: can someone tell me again why I am the one who has to do this?

Kasey: I’m doing the sex talk part you’re doing boundaries on road trips and pda. That’s the deal old man

Dumo: Sirius is the captain? He should do it or re he’s a doctor

Remus: I’m a therapist not a doctor and I already pushed them to admit their feelings. My part is done

Sunny: woah you’re the reason I now have to live with the vision of baby rookie bent over a bench in the equipment room?

Remus: I told them to not do anything at work

Kasey: aw let them be in love man. It’s cute. Also like either of you haven’t all done weird shit when you were still in the honeymoon phase?

Dumo: well. I know for certain that cap and loops have

Sirius: you made us share a bed. You get to give the talk to the boys. Also they’re like your sons so.

Sergei: u not Still honeymoon phase?

Kasey: they totally are. Remus is about to climb cap like a shaggy tree every time he scores. It’s cute.

Sunny: dumo you’re like the lAst person to complain.

Sergei: I walk in on u and Celeste so many times.

Dumo: well it’s not my fault you can sneak up. You should weAr a bell or something.

James: how did he walk in on you? You’ve never lived together?

Dumo: where do you think he sleeps when anya is mad at him?

James: anyways I bought a gag for Logan with the money I won and used the $500 they paid Sunny not to tattle to set up a jar for when they get caught again and we might have to bribe people not to say anything... the unholy trinity emergency fund...

——

Knutterbutter: I still hate this name. Also why does blizzard and dumo want to talk to us?

Tremendouzly: dunno. Maybe they caught you two in the gym?

Finnisagod: they didn’t. Sunny might have seen something but he just winked and walked out. Also I paid him $500 not to tattle...

Knutterbutter: and you trust him? He’s as bad as James. And he speaks Russian. You know him and Sergei are talking about us. Also I’m worried.

Tremendouzly: okay just let’s get through this. Wait why is kasey here?

——

Knutterbutter: that was the most mortifying thing I’ve ever experienced.

Tremendouzly: I can’t believe they all chipped in to buy me a gag. I’m not that loud...

Finnisagod: hahahah oh yes you are. But come on calm down boys. They just asked us to keep it down. Not to stop Doing things. Oh and to promise to apologize to Olli.

Knutterbutter: oh. Shit. Olli. Forgot about that. It’s like Casper the friendly ghost seeing you have sex 🥺

finnisagod: hahaha come on Olli lives with timmers and is like best friends with Kuny and nado. He’s even had Kuny chained to his bed, naked?

Tremendouzly: I can’t believe kasey talked to us about sex. I’m pretty sure my dick committed suicide

Finnisagod: if we weren’t on a bus I could check for you 😜💦😋😉

Knutterbutter: you’re not doing anything. This is already mortifying. Nado and Kuny high-fived me and offered suggestions. Also James betted on us and won about $500 on who came first....

Finnisagod: at least they didn’t fine us. And the $ 500 went towards Logan’s gag 😂

Finnisagod: also don’t be a bore knutty, like you wouldn’t love to watch me go down on Logan right here...

Tremendouzly: I wouldn’t mind. But stop Finn. Knut is unhappy

Knutterbutter: how are you all not more embarrassed?

Tremendouzly: come on, this is their way of accepting. Also we’ve got shit loads of crap on all of these idiots too and it’s only a matter of time before Kuny or Nado sends another nude or somehow fucks up...

Knutterbutter: I have to work with kasey. More than you two. I can’t ever unhear him talk about sex like that. He had a power point

Finnisagod: I found it very educational. Kasey is a serious guy. He didn’t even flinch and I’m pretty sure dumo was blasting willie Nelson on Max volume and pretending he was on a beach somewhere in the Bahamas? So no ones hurt

—-

Kasey: well we did the talk. They were embarrassed- Leo most. Though finn seemed very intrigued with the gag tho. Also dumo went to his happy place.

Sirius: you let him listen to country music and pretend they’re still just reading books and braiding Logan’s hair?

Kasey: yup.

James: alright we owe you two a dinner.

Dumo: dinner? I want a ‘04 la tour. And also dinner. And babysitting the next three evenings off

Kasey: hahahah hard bargain. We would be happy to babysit.

Sirius: practicing? 😉

Kasey; hell yeah. I’m gonna make some awesome babies with nat. Gonna take over the world.

Remus: I believe you. Sirius and I would be happy to babysit too 😌

Dumo: 😘 though Adele never quite forgave you for stealing Sirius. Though she’s still certain she’s going to marry Logan. Not sure how to break the news to her.